Stupid question about Heart Rate Monitors

[laxdef69]

I just got one.

It gave me a couple of weird tests to determine my maximum heart rate (stepping up and down (left foot up, right foot up, left foot down, right foot down) for 90 seconds, my max heart rate was 102.

Then I got up and sat down from a chair for 60 seconds, and my max was 106.

It said that I should then add 65 to each of the readings, and the average of those two would be my max HR for training purposes. I chose 65 as it said I should if I were "fit". I assumed that if I could complete the 1/2 Ironman, that I should consider myself "fit", which was their highest value.

What makes me wonder about this, is that subtracting my age from 220 gives a max hr of 178...but there are other calculators that assume if I am in poorer shape, my max hr is higher...maybe I am missing something, but it appears that if I am in better shape, then my max HR is lower? It seems that if I am in shape, my max HR would be higher since I am in shape...

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks!

Mike

 

[JimB.]

Confusing, isn't it?

According to the 220 - age thing, my max HR should be no more than 170, but when I work hard, it gets up to the high 180's,

From what I have been told here, there & through some reading, your HR getting above your theoretical max is a sign of good cardiovascular fitness.

I guess it's logical. If you are 35, your "max" HR is about 185 (supposedly), and if you can get to that when you are 50, it seems to make sense that your cardiovascular system is in good shape.

I have a HR monitor with my Garmin. I never have "trained to my HR" (for lack of a better term). I just do what I do, & let my body tell me when to work harder or slack off. I use the HR monitor for record keeping purposes and not much else.

The AHA says to work to your "Perceived" rate of exertion. If you can sing, you are not working hard enough. If you can talk in complete sentences, ditto. If you can talk in phrases, you are working to a pretty good level. If you can't talk or can only in 1 or 2 words, you are working too hard. Check out their website for a much better explanation.

As we say in the paramedic biz, "treat the patient, not the monitor". I think if you just listen to your body & not worry about a number, you will be fine.

Have fun & rock on...................

1/2 Ironman?????............... You are an Animal!!

 

[windwalker]

Good answer Jim.

Agreeable Panda

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Just my two cents, but I'm willing to bet that stepping up and down for 90 seconds won't be enough to get you to your max heart rate. I did a step up test for boot camp for more like 5 min, and my instructor still didn't believe that I had reached my max heart rate yet.

 

[jbucci]

The HR thing does sound confusing on the surface, but it kind of makes sense when you think about it. If you are in good shape, then your heart gets more effecient- being able to pump the blood you need without having to beat so quickly. A person in good shape has a much lower resting heart rate than a person who does not exercise. When you are fit your heart rate does not go up as much and recovers much faster. If your heart beats too fast it means your body is stressed beyond what is beneficial to you, so your max HR should be where you are getting a good aerobic workout but don't feel like you are about to pass out because your heart can't keep up with your body's demands.